Moose Lake Cabin is located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in southwestern Montana. The historic cabin, which was built in 1917 for use as a Forest Service work station, offers visitors close access to the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area, which covers almost 250 square miles of mountain ranges. The cabin is a short drive to Georgetown Lake, Discovery Ski Area, Gem Mountain, and the town of Philipsburg with its well known Sweet Palace and microbrewery.
Many lakes and streams provide ample access to world famous trout fishing and the area also boasts miles of roads and trails. The cabin is located a short walk from Middle Fork Rock Cr and is surrounded by public land in all directions. Hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, OHV riding, skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are common activites,
The cabin can typically be accessed by vehicle, depending on road and weather conditions. Moose Lake Road is plowed during winter, but the access spur to the cabin is not regularly plowed and guests should plan on walking this final 100 yards in the winter months.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
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Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
The Moose Lake Cabin is a clean, well-stocked retreat with beautiful views and great access to fishing and recreational activities. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds, woodstove, and peaceful atmosphere, often enjoying wildlife sounds like elk bugling. While some mention issues with water quality and cabin walls, these are outweighed by the overall positive experiences and the cabin's rustic charm.
Awesome place to spend a few days. We fished the creek and cooked delicious food over the wood stove. We brought all of our food and supplies in totes, which was awesome as there are quite a few mice who came to visit.
We stayed in the Moose Lake Cabin for a couple nights in late June-early July. It's a cute little cabin with easy access to the Middle Fork of Rock Creek and privacy from the main Moose Lake Road thanks to a row of willows and a dip in the landscape. The cabin itself and vault toilet were clean and well-stocked. We really liked the fact that screened windows on two sides open up and allow a cross breeze to keep the cabin cool and airy. We hope a new screen door will be installed (we could see the hinges and lock where earlier ones hung) for more light and air.
The only issue was, just like most of the old ranger stations and guard cabins on the ground, a little mouse or five who liked to come out at night and whenever we left the cabin in the day to gnaw and poo on our stuff. Fortunately, we always travel with sealed hard-sided plastic tubs for camp gear and food so there was no damage. Be aware to keep everything sealed in similar protective containers otherwise you'll have a dash of mouse seasoning in your food here at Moose Lake.
We stayed in the Moose Lake Cabin for a couple nights in late June-early July. It's a cute little cabin with easy access to the Middle Fork of Rock Creek and privacy from the main Moose Lake Road thanks to a row of willows and a dip in the landscape. The cabin itself and vault toilet were clean and well-stocked. We really liked the fact that screened windows on two sides open up and allow a cross breeze to keep the cabin cool and airy. We hope a new screen door will be installed (we could see the hinges and lock where earlier ones hung) for more light and air.
The only issue was, just like most of the old ranger stations and guard cabins on the ground, a little mouse or five who liked to come out at night and whenever we left the cabin in the day to gnaw and poo on our stuff. Fortunately, we always travel with sealed hard-sided plastic tubs for camp gear and food so there was no damage. Be aware to keep everything sealed in similar protective containers otherwise you'll have a dash of mouse seasoning in your food here at Moose Lake.
Really enjoyed our stay, we regularly camp in the area and have wanted to stay at the cabin for quite a while, and finally did. A few things: 1) the maul and hatchet were VERY dull, so much so that they actually bounced off the wood, we couldn't cut at all. We had brought a chain saw and used that to cut wood. Split wood would be better for the stove, so next time we will bring our own tools, or maybe our own wood. 2) The cabin is pretty small, and with the bunk beds, table, and wood stove, it gets full fast. There were two of us and we were fine, but a group of four would be pretty cozy if you were stuck inside. 3) We were going by the stove instructions on the wall behind the stove. Later we found written stove instruction on paper on the wall by the door. It would have saved some effort to read the paper instructions first - we aren't wood stove experts. But it was very enjoyable, weather was great, a beautiful area!!
Really enjoyed our stay, we regularly camp in the area and have wanted to stay at the cabin for quite a while, and finally did. A few things: 1) the maul and hatchet were VERY dull, so much so that they actually bounced off the wood, we couldn't cut at all. We had brought a chain saw and used that to cut wood. Split wood would be better for the stove, so next time we will bring our own tools, or maybe our own wood. 2) The cabin is pretty small, and with the bunk beds, table, and wood stove, it gets full fast. There were two of us and we were fine, but a group of four would be pretty cozy if you were stuck inside. 3) We were going by the stove instructions on the wall behind the stove. Later we found written stove instruction on paper on the wall by the door. It would have saved some effort to read the paper instructions first - we aren't wood stove experts. But it was very enjoyable, weather was great, a beautiful area!!
We celebrated my 62nd birthday here and it was perfect. We caught a few fish and our grandson slept in a forest service cabin for the first time. I am sure we will do more of that.
We celebrated my 62nd birthday here and it was perfect. We caught a few fish and our grandson slept in a forest service cabin for the first time. I am sure we will do more of that.
From Philipsburg, travel south on Highway 1 for about 7 mi to the junction with Skalkaho Highway/Highway 38. Turn right onto Highway 38 and continue west for about 9 mi and turn left onto Moose Lake Road/Forest Road 5106. Travel another 9 mi to th...
From Philipsburg, travel south on Highway 1 for about 7 mi to the junction with Skalkaho Highway/Highway 38. Turn right onto Highway 38 and continue west for about 9 mi and turn left onto Moose Lake Road/Forest Road 5106. Travel another 9 mi to the cabin. Winter weather conditions may require visitors to park on the main road and hike about a quarter-mile to the cabin. Maps may be purchased by calling the Pintler Ranger District.
Moose Lake Cabin is accessible via Highway 1 and Skalkaho Highway/Highway 38. The nearest major road is Highway 1, located approximately 7 miles from Philipsburg.